Malé, Maldives – As the pandemic has worsened in India, Tourism Minister Dr. Abdhulla Muasoom has stated that discussion regarding tourist arrivals from the country are ongoing with relevant authorities.
In an interview to local news outlet “Mihaaru”, Minister Mausoom stated that looking at the current tourist covid-19 positive rates, no specific country has been identified to have higher cases than others.
However, he added that as the Covid-19 situation in India is worsening, discussions are ongoing to implement additional restrictions.
Countries worldwide have expressed their concerns after a huge surge in Covid-19 cases has resulted in a large number of serious cases in India. Many countries have now reinstated previously lifted covid-19 restrictions for Indian travellers, mandating on-arrival quarantine.
Maldives too, has decided all arriving from India except tourists to quarantine, with many calling for tourists to be quarantined as well.
Minister Mausoom noted that even when a vaccine was unavailable, Maldives allowed tourists in without quarantine, and that as the majority of the tourist sector has been vaccinated, it is now safer than before. He also said that resort and hotel staff are now better trained and experienced in safely providing services.
” I want to decrease hardships faced by tourists and provide services while ensuring the safety of residents and tourist staff ”Tourism Minister Dr. Abdhulla Muasoom
The Minister went on to call for everyone to work together to control the covid-19 situation, asking for all to follow guidelines currently in place in addition to following recommendations by health experts.
” Everyone should expect that anyone could have this disease. Whether you meet with a tourist or anyone else, exercising necessary precautions will prevent the spread disease”Tourism Minister Dr. Abdhulla Muasoom
India confirmed a record total of 315,660 cases and 2,091 deaths in a single day on April 21, 2021. Experts believe the recent surge was driven by new more contagious variants, as well as mass gatherings, such as the Kumbh Mela festival, where millions of pilgrims gathered earlier this month.
The vaccine drive in the country also gave residents a false sense of safety, but as experts point out, the number of vaccinated individuals is nowhere near the amount needed for herd immunity. The country is now at a shortage of medical oxygen, with hospitals full and turning away many new patients.


The Rule of Law and Innovation Under Assault
Joint conference
Friday,
April 8, 2022 via Zoom
12:20 – 6:00 pm ET
Antitrust enforcement has traditionally remained a liability regime whereby companies and the government seek in courts compensation for injuries following anticompetitive conduct. Antitrust in the United States has predominantly remained an enforcement mechanism instead of the more administrative systems of enforcing competition laws such as the ones in Europe. However, critics of the judicial process’s complexity, length, and costs expressed concerns with traditional antitrust enforced through courts. Neo-Brandeisians advocate taking antitrust away from the courts via preemptive regulations rather than via subsequent prosecutions.
The transformational shift from ex-post judicial enforcement toward ex-ante regulatory rules signals a more profound philosophical change. With the rise of the administrative enforcement of competition rules, many elements inherent to the precautionary principle started to emerge in the field of antitrust. Instances of such precautionary logic include the reversal of the burden of proof so that the government no longer has to demonstrate harm to prohibit conduct, the return to interim measures to “timely” intervene in the markets, the undermining of the consumer-welfare standard for consumer “choice” or competitors’ welfare, and the bias toward status quo over disruptions. This illustrates that the components of the precautionary principle implicitly apply to antitrust matters. What can be described as “precautionary antitrust” is increasingly present in the United States with the enhanced role of the rulemaking authority of the Federal Trade Commission Act. It is already at play in the EU with the Digital Markets Act and in the United Kingdom with the Digital Markets Unit within its competition authority.
Given the precautionary principle’s innovation-deterrence effect, applying the precautionary principle to antitrust matters runs the risks of false positives whereby procompetitive and innovative conducts are preventatively prohibited in the absence of harm, only because of the mere hypothetical damage to an unlimited range of interests. Precautionary antitrust is an assault on innovation as it ossifies the market at the expense of disruptions. Also, precautionary antirust is an assault on the rule of law by diminishing the role of the courts and by preventing companies from raising legitimate justifications for their conduct. To what extent is precautionary antitrust harmful? What does regulating competition through preemptive prohibitions rather than through judicial adjudications imply for litigants?
To discuss these issues, the Schumpeter Project on Competition Policy of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation and the Classical Liberal Institute of the New York University jointly organize a conference with leading scholars to discuss the state of the current shift in the antitrust paradigm and its implications for the rule of law and innovation.
Agenda:
12:20-12:30 Welcome Remarks – Richard Epstein, Aurelien Portuese
12:30-1:00 Keynote Address – FTC Commissioner Christine Wilson
1:00-1:30 Daniel Crane
1:30-2:00 Elyse Dorsey
2:00-2:30 Scott Hemphill
2:30-3:00 Adam Mossoff
3:00-3:30 Julie Carlson
3:30-4:00 Daniel Rubinfeld
4:00-4:30 Kenneth Reinker
4:30-5:00 David Kappos
5:00-5:30 Richard Epstein
5:30-6:00 Aurelien Portuese
The keynote address will not be followed by Q&A from speakers and the audience.
Speakers are expected to speak for 20 minutes, then followed by a 10-minute Q&A session with other speakers and members of the audience.


Greater Geelong is a city of contrasts, spanning a beautiful coastal environment, a thriving urban centre and the natural beauty of regional lakes, hills and plains.
It’s also one of Australia’s largest transportation and manufacturing hubs, with a high carbon emissions profile. This presents both opportunities and challenges for Greater Geelong and its community.
This report identifies a range of greenhouse gas abatement opportunities that can be achieved for the lowest cost within the municipal boundaries of Greater Geelong. These opportunities are based on the actions outlined in the Low carbon growth plan for Australia.


FIA President and CEO Walt Lukken highlighted the importance of global derivatives markets in risk-managing the transition to a more sustainable global economy in a recent interview with SSE TV.
"Sustainability is a goal of many of our members," he said. "One reason is we feel that our markets can be an incredibly helpful tool in getting to the goals of the Paris climate agreement in 2050."
Separately, Lukken noted that "carbon is a fascinating new commodity and asset class" where derivatives markets continue to see growth and opportunity, as policymakers and private enterprises look to market-driven solutions to help fight climate change.
Lukken gave the interview with SSE TV as part of FIA's participation in the Sustainable Stock Exchange Initiative.
FIA MarketVoice


Regional anesthesia and pain medicine
We aimed to investigate the proportion and associated factors for new long-term opioid use and its long-term effects after lung cancer surgery. ⋯ Among preoperative opioid-naive patients in South Korea, 6.1% became new long-term opioid users after lung cancer surgery. Certain factors are potential risk factors for new long-term opioid use, which could be associated with poorer long-term survival outcomes.
Editorial Randomized Controlled Trial
Effective analgesia after total hip arthroplasty must minimize pain and optimize early ambulation. Lumbar plexus blocks (LPBs) provide analgesia but may cause motor weakness. Quadratus lumborum blocks (QLBs) may provide analgesia with preserved motor strength. ⋯ Although we were unable to demonstrate non-inferiority for opioid consumption at 12-hour postoperative, strength and mobilization were improved in lateral QLB subjects.
Randomized Controlled Trial
Posterior quadratus lumborum block (QLB) and intrathecal morphine are accepted analgesic strategies in laparoscopic liver resection, but their effects have not been compared after laparoscopic donor hepatectomy. This study was planned to perform this comparison. ⋯ Bilateral posterior QLB elicited higher resting pain scores at 24-hour after laparoscopic donor hepatectomy than intrathecal morphine and did not meet the definition of non-inferiority.
The medical field has been experiencing numerous drug shortages in recent years. The most recent shortage to impact the field of interventional pain medicine is that of iodinated contrast medium. Pain physicians must adapt to these changes while maintaining quality of care. This position statement offers guidance on adapting to the shortage.


Diagnosing & Treating Computer-Related Vision Problems
$64.95
With visual symptoms occurring in 50-90 percent of workers using computers, this practical guide details careful diagnosis and treatment of visual conditions that can cause visual syndromes. This book provides the knowledge, references, materials, and action plans designed to help practitioners diagnose and manage computer-related vision disorders. It addresses the visual and environmental factors that cause the visual problems experienced by computer users, offering practical suggestions for assessing the visual ergonomics of a patient’s computer workstation and reducing the visual demands of a task.
Contents
1. Computer Vision Syndrome
2. Positioning Your Practice to Care for Computer-User Patients 3. Signs and Symptoms of Computer Vision Problems 4. Diagnosing and Treating Refractive Errors for Computer Users 5. Diagnosis and Treatment of Accommodative and Binocular Conditions 6. Presbyopia and Computer Use 7. Treating Ocular Pathological Conditions that Affect Computer Vision 8. Lighting 9. Reflections from the Computer Display 10. Computer Displays 11. Optimum Workstation Arrangements 12. The ECP as a Consultant providing Workplace Evaluations 13. Assisting Children and Low Vision Patients in the Use of Computers 14. Marketing Yourself as a Computer Vision Specialist
Softbound, 281 pages.
6 in stock (can be backordered)


Fierce BD&L Summit for Life Sciences
Location: Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf San Francisco 555 North Point Street San Francisco California 94133 United States View on a map
More Information:
Contact: Organiser:Fierce Pharma & Fierce Biotech Name:Richard Watanabe Email:rwatanabe@questex.com
Despite the challenges of the past few years, 2021 saw a continued return to normal deal-making activity in the life sciences sector as pharma and biotech companies quickly adapted and readjusted their business goals leading to a reinvigorated marketplace ripe with new opportunities but also with new challenges and risks. Now is the ideal time for life sciences companies to capitalize on the innovation and investment opportunities in the industry and build a comprehensive business development strategy for 2022.
With so much at stake, it is essential for life science organizations to effectively assess the risks associated with a deal, explore innovative models and deal structures for working with strategic partners, collaborate with cross-functional partners to realize business synergies and develop processes for the efficient and optimal negotiation and closing of a transaction.
With this in mind, the 3rd Fierce BD&L Summit returns LIVE in 2022 bringing together key deal-makers and serving as an open forum for cross-functional business development, due diligence, finance, and legal teams to share valuable insights and actionable strategies on successfully sourcing and evaluating new opportunities, conducting due diligence, and structuring licensing agreements and M&A deals. This year’s conference features expanded networking opportunities along with two days of panels, case studies, and practical sessions across three critical topic areas – Business Development, Due Diligence, and Legal/IP.


Eating well through the miracle that is Jesus Christ
Published 4:11 pm Saturday, May 28, 2022
By Fr. Jonathan Filkins
“And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples and to the disciples to them that were down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.”
The importance of this message, contained in Holy Scripture, is how this extraordinary miracle may be measured by the knowledge that it is the only one of our Lord’s miracles to be mentioned in all four of the Holy Gospels. This repeated miracle is also referred to twice in Matthew and Mark, making it, in all, six times that this miracle is related in the Gospels. It is, most significant in its placement and repetition. It is also very significant for us, if we better understand the Ministry of Jesus Christ and the fuller meeting of the Holy Eucharist. No one could argue that this miracle story, no matter from which gospel it is taken, is intriguing in the sweep of the scope of the narrative and the concise nature in which it is delivered. The location is near Decapolis, where Jesus lived as an adult. Unlike some fairytale, or myth, or fable, it was not done once upon a time, or nobody knows where, but here we have the circumstances and conditions quite well delineated, which gives us greater insights, so we may better consider and understand the events and the meaning for us. You can visit the area today.
Chronologically, our Lord had crossed the sea of Tiberius, better known to us as the Sea of Galilee. At this juncture in our Lord’s ministry, he was being followed by large crowds who were not necessarily followers of him, or even knew him. Perhaps, like many of us, they were seeking what was in it for themselves. Perhaps like many of us, they had their doubts, they had their priorities mostly focused upon themselves. Yet, just by the act of following along, they exhibited a great curiosity; exhibited an innate desire to explore the truth of Christ Jesus.
We often here of Jesus taking refuge in the desert. We know these places to be desolate, devoid of life-giving water and sustenance. It was to this place that Jesus came. Although this was the desert, we hear of “much grass”, in this place. Today’s visitors to the area, report a “bold headland” with a smooth grassy spot at the base; which could easily capable of seating many thousands of people. While it is only conjecture as to whether this was the specific spot, or not, the parallels, the picture if you will, is likely similar.
Imagine Jesus sitting on an outcropping with the crowds spread below him. As Christ lifted up his eyes, He saw the poor, needy, ordinary people for, no doubt, they would make up such a desperate multitude Before the feeding of the multitude, Jesus gave thanks to God for what they were all about to receive. It stands as a quandary for us to understand why Jesus, as the son of God and in the Trinity, who is God, he would be praying to himself. Let us remember that our Lord, as our teacher, is providing to us the proper way of our relationship with Him. By demonstrating how to express thanksgiving, to God, by His Son, we learn.
The miracles which Christ accomplished clearly demonstrated that He was the Messiah promised, a teacher come from God, the Great Prophet. However, He could not convince these awestruck spectators that this was He who had come. There were many who were convinced he was that prophet that should come into the world, yet they did not receive or continue in his doctrine, . Perhaps, again, here we may see ourselves. While we may acknowledge our gifts, our treasures, both intellectual and physical, we may repetitively deny the source of the miracles that brought them to us. In accepting Christ as our Savior, we acknowledge the miracles in our own lives and, as He expresses them, to and through others.


01 Jul Caribbean Hotel Market Update
Operating out of 13 offices throughout the Caribbean territory and Latin America, BCQS International has a wealth of expert knowledge and a unique insight into the region’s hospitality sector. As market leaders and the most established RICS regulated surveying firm in the Caribbean, we’ve been providing specialist valuation, cost management, construction and project management services to a host of clients within the hospitality sector for over 50 years. Having consulted with market participants across the Caribbean, we set out a review of both the immediate impact and potential future challenges facing the region’s hotel sector in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2019’s Record Year Review
From a performance standpoint, 2019 represented a record year for the Caribbean hotel sector. An achievement even more impressive given its proximity to Hurricane Irma and Maria in 2017, at which time severe business disruption and physical damage was sustained to many parts of the region. This disruption and damage continued to impact trade well into Q1 2018 and beyond for the worst affected areas. Within Table 1 below, we further illustrate the impressive year on year comparisons in performance between 2018 and 2019 across all hotel key performance indicators (KPI) and business metrics.
As per Table 1 below, there was a strong year on year performance across hotel KPIs within the Caribbean, with only hotel occupancies seeing a decline against the previous year of -2.7%. However, this occupancy decline was offset by the significant 5.6% Average Daily Rate (ADR) growth, which subsequently bolstered overall RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Room) performance to achieve its 2.8% growth for the year. From a Caribbean perspective, as a generally high-tier tourism market, there is far greater prioritization to drive ADR than managerial attempts to increase hotel occupancies. Rate growth is crucial in a market dominated by upscale, upper-upscale and luxury resorts, all of which strive to offer exceptional customer experiences, amenities, and sense of exclusivity for which guests are willing to pay premium rates.
This record year for Caribbean hotel performance was no more prevalent than here in the Turks and Caicos Islands. As illustrated in Table 2 below, growth across all KPIs and business metrics in 2019 was evident, with ADR performance particularly impressive. It was the only Caribbean participant to exceed an ADR of one thousand US dollars. Displaying double digit growth across both hotel RevPAR and hotel revenues, the Turks and Caicos Islands further demonstrates itself as a maturing market and truly a premium holiday destination within the Caribbean region.
With supply growth modest at 0.5%, and strong demand growth of 4.7%, 2019’s performance supports the view that the Turks and Caicos Islands remain a location for opportunistic development and growth potential within the Caribbean hospitality sector. Figures in Table 2 suggest that from this historic data, new hotel supply would be well absorbed within the market and as evidenced by the ongoing construction of Rock House by Grace Bay Resorts and Ritz Carlton Turks and Caicos in Providenciales. The current challenges relating to the current COVID-19 pandemic will however at least in the short term, have an impact on this market which is currently difficult to quantify.
Unprecedented Turbulent Winds
As a region prone to destructive storms, the Caribbean has demonstrated its resilience and resolve numerous times during adverse conditions. We need to look back only as far as September 2017 when a substantial swathe of the Caribbean was decimated by two back to back Category 5 hurricanes (Irma and Maria). With the fatalities from these storms reaching into the hundreds, subsequent reports indicated that as much as 85% of property and infrastructure across islands were destroyed, with locations such as the British Virgin Islands, Saint Martin, Sint Maarten, Antigua & Barbuda severely affected.
As we move forward to the present day, the threat to the region comes in a very different form, as the COVID-19 pandemic now appears to have inflicted another mighty blow to our hospitality sector. However, unlike the hurricanes of old, the virus’s path of destruction has been far wider spread as it continues to infiltrate international borders, inflicting substantial levels of operational disruption and, in some cases, irrevocable business damage to many sectors of the global economy. The extent of this damage is yet to be fully realized or understood, and the duration of disruption remains widely unknown with ongoing concurs about future waves, Some countries are now back to a degree of normality including a number of those who were first affected. Some merging and notable gains are being seen in the hotel sector which provides a useful indication for those who are someway behind the curve, as to how the market is likely to respond and recover.
With the arrival of 2020, a notable downturn in global hotel performance was seen. According to STR data, throughout January and February, the Caribbean region was already outputting year on year declines in both occupancy and ADR performance of approximately -5% and -1.5%, respectively. This decline was not a result of COVID-19, but more a loss in momentum when compared to 2019’s impressive performance at the beginning of the year. By the end of March 2020, a quarter on quarter review revealed that the Caribbean had experienced a -20.6% in hotel occupancy, -3% in ADR and -23% in RevPAR.
Operational repercussions of COVID-19 were delayed in the Caribbean compared to that experienced in markets such as Asia and EMEA, the former of which felt significant occupancy declines at the beginning of February. Generally, the impact was evident within the third and final weeks of March for the Caribbean region. From these final weeks of March through to the second week of April, Caribbean occupancy rates plummeted and were unable to even reach double digit figures. By the second week of April, the region collectively achieved an occupancy rate of only 7%, during which time its RevPAR also declined by a staggering 95% year on year.
With such substantial declines being recorded in both Caribbean and global operational performance, hotels became simply incapable of operating efficiently. Overheads and general expenses associated with opening hotels and adequality staffing them, would in most cases, significantly exceed revenue generation capabilities in such dire market conditions.
Such a challenging landscape within the hotel sector has inevitably led to countless difficult operational decisions for hotel owners and management. With the ongoing development and spread of the virus and the closure of country borders, we have seen an increasing level of hotel closures as well as thousands of employees losing their jobs within the industry worldwide. From a Caribbean perspective, this is increasingly concerning due to the region’s heavy reliance on the tourism industry as a key source of both its GDP contribution and domestic employment.
Within the most recent statistics published by the World Travel & Tourism Council (2019), 13.9% of the Caribbean’s GDP was attributed to travel and tourism. However, this contribution to GDP significantly varies on a territory by territory basis, reaching upward of 90% in some islands. Many islands including Cayman, Trinidad, Jamaica and the British Virgin Islands have a far more diverse economy, each with strong alternative industries such as manufacturing, financial / professional services and mining capabilities to name a few. However, the Turks and Caicos does not possess such a varied economy and consequently remains one of the most travel and tourism dependent locations for GDP contribution, not only within the Caribbean, but globally.
Key Challenges Moving Forward Owners and Operators – Unlike many international markets, the Caribbean does not possess strong domestic demand for hotels. As a region characterized by predominantly high-end hotel and resort developments, conceptually these products are not designed, nor priced to cater to the local market, but rather wealthy, international leisure-based guests. Consequently, the region cannot depend on a gradual recovery coming in the form of ‘staycations’, which many other drive-to global markets are able to leverage until international-based demand returns.
Even as we fast forward to a time where international travel resumes, hotel owners and their management teams in the Caribbean are set to face increasing operational impasses when it comes to decisions on when/ if to reopen and indeed, what a reopening will look like. This will initially be dictated by the reopening of borders, following which there will be many challenges in relation to how best and efficiently operate in adapting resort amenities / services to accommodate defined social distancing measures for both guest and employee safety. These new measures must all be carefully considered whilst also calculating how such operations can deliver essential profitability to the business.
Shifts in Consumer Behavior – In addition to governmental influence within the hospitality sector, tourists themselves will inevitably have enhanced levels of sanitary expectations and risk perception when booking trips in at least the short to medium-term. Such expectations will most likely extend from the moment they leave their home until the point they return. Consequently, hotels will need to work in greater collaboration with staff, suppliers, air/ cruise lines and ports, and so forth to ensure they can provide their guests with the necessary safety assurances.
Industry adaptation and advanced initiatives are responsibly being undertaken by several large international hotel companies, who are working closely with medical associations to adopt new and the safest measures within their properties as early as possible. There are, of course, hotels that have played a key role in accommodating essential workers and medical professionals during this pandemic. Such properties are in somewhat of an advantageous position, having already been operational in these times and needing to demonstrate the highest standards of cleanliness for these workers on a daily basis.
Financing Within Hospitality
More locally, within the Caribbean, we are seeing continued support from the traditional high street lenders in the market for those who qualify. Whilst risk perception within the hospitality industry has heightened, certainly in the short-term, experienced lenders remain proactive and supportive of the sector. We spoke with several active lenders in the Caribbean hotel sector who indicated they’re continuing to work in partnership with their customers, endeavouring to provide as much assistance as possible with alternative lines of credit and short-term facilities.
Recovery – A Look Into The Future?
Much of the focus for owners and operators today surrounds day to day operational changes and associated costs with hotels reopening in this post-COVID environment. Generally, whilst industry specialists feel that although more extensive protocols and sanitation equipment costs can be effectively absorbed and managed within their business, there is still an inability to accurately understand and resource this impact. This uncertainty is likely to continue until a time where new government led initiatives and guidelines are clearly defined within the industry.
From a broader economic standpoint, central banks remain key to administering the much-needed liquidity into global economies. With varying forms of government support initiatives being provided in the form of various stimulus packages or employment furlough schemes, these central banks have been buying significant levels of government debt. Consequently, due to such heavy reliance on borrowing, it is likely that interest rates will remain low, certainly in the short-term, until greater economic stability prevails.
In addition to contemplating what is commonly being referred to as the ‘new normal’, many now look to the future with uncertainly and questions surrounding employment, cost of living and what the implications such significant debt provisions may have on future inflation rates.
2020 – A Game of Two Halves?
Here in the Turks and Caicos, we are however beginning to see some encouraging progress made to regenerate and kick-start the local tourism sector. After imposing strict quarantine measures from March, the Turks and Caicos have in general, been relatively successful in managing to contain and avoid the significant spread of COVID-19.
Consequently, the island’s government has put into place plans to reopen the international airport, currently proposed for 22nd July, with multiple flights showing as being available from numerous US locations. A number of other countries have already opened up, including Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Jamaica, USVI and St Lucia.
Although the reopening of the island is certainly a positive step for the Turks and Caicos Islands, hotel owners and operators will now be mindful that the Caribbean region is heading into its annual hurricane season, which runs from June through to November. This period is typically characterized by reduced bookings and visitation levels to the region. This trend is evidenced within the graph below in which we’ve analyzed annual land-based arrivals (overnight stays) in the Turks and Caicos between 2012 and 2019. This data demonstrates a clear decline in these arrivals in September and, to an extent, October, which is typically the peak period for hurricane activity. A consistent rebound of increased visitation is then evident in November and December, which is largely influenced by peak holiday periods, including Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Consequently, and subject to no second wave of COVID-19, we foresee hotels targeting the greater demand during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays to capitalize on the much-needed lucrative business as we close out 2020.
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Abstract
Work/home conflict is a dominant stress for workers in industrialized countries, particularly in dual-employment families. Interindividual (husband/wife) and interrole (work/home) conflicts in such families are a unique source of stress and adversely affect family and marital relationships as well as performance at work. Neither family therapy nor the stress literature have reported any interventions directed specifically at reducing work/home conflicts in employed couples or parents, although many workplaces today offer stress prevention programs aimed at individual workers. This paper discusses the underlying theoretical rationale for a marital enhancement intervention currently being developed for prevention of distress associated with work/home conflicts. The program combines marital enrichment and training principles with stress management techniques and aims at reinforcing shared coping resources. It focuses on four main variables associated with interpersonal processes: unrealistic expectations based on irrational beliefs, social undermining, shared decision control, and social support.
Keywords Stress Work/family ASJC Scopus subject areas Social Psychology Cultural Studies Clinical Psychology Social Sciences (miscellaneous)


Faith Talk: What you value = what you nurture "If you don't know the value of a thing, you will abuse a thing." Christine Caine, A21, Hillsong Colour Your World Conference
Of all the information gleaned at the Conference, these are the words that have resonated with me most. While Caine was talking about the devaluation of women and children in relation to human trafficking, it applies to
everything. I fear we've become disconnected from the value of those things we are meant to cherish and honour and nurture: the environment, material things, work, marriage, children and childhood, ageing, family, food, our bodies, our minds, our hearts, our lives... our humanity.
For Christians, it's the devaluation of God's sovereignty, laws and grace, the meaning of Christ's intervention and the role of the church and its traditions (Lent, anyone?). And as the value of these things has diminished, we have looked to things to fill the value gaps – new relationships, better jobs, more stuff, more money, different churches, idols to follow – or to appease our guilt (Earth Day!). We let things slide. We lose perspective. We misappropriate. We take advantage. We lay blame on others. We lay hate on others. We grow distant, cynical, hopeless. Life loses its meaning.
BUT... when I acknowledge God as the creator of everything, I attribute reverence, care and value to everything.
I value my marriage and my partner and I take care of them; I don't take time for granted; I value my body and I take care of it; I value my mind and nurture it; I turn away from those things that diminish my God-given spirit; I spend within the means He's given me; I give with the means He's given me; I see the value in His blessings; I respect my parents; I give attention to, appreciate, love and help others; I delight in nature; I acknowledge the little things; I see food as His provision for nourishment and a shared pleasure; I thank him for work, any work, and honour it; I thank Him for lessons learned; I treat the environment with respect; I share, I care, I save; I use my gifts to His advantage; I recognise everyone's different; I acknowledge wisdom, peace, joy and a sound mind – his 'perfect ideals' come only from Him... and I get my security, love and hope from Him.
And when I lose sight of these things, when I abuse these things by being careless, selfish or ungrateful, it breaks His heart. But when I acknowledge Him in ALL things, and act accordingly, He honours that. What you value is what you nurture. And He values ALL of us.
For this is the way God loved the world: he gave his one and only Son that everyone who believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him. The one who believes in Him is not condemned. The one who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.(John 3:16-18)
Girl With a Satchel


Diversity regarding Confucian values in the Korean Workplace: Assessing the moderating roles of formalization, courtesy inkunja leadership, and team efficacy SuyoungRyu Abstract This study examined how diversity regarding Confucian values influences the performance of teams working in Korean corporations under Confucian culture. Additionally, it examined the roles of formalization, courtesy in kunja leadership (KL), and team efficacy in mitigating the negative effects of value-related diversity. To address these issues, data on 79 teams, including 349 individuals and 79 team leaders, were collected from representative public and private Korean corporations. The results show that neither diversity in Confucian values among members, nor between a team leader and team members, was significantly associated with team performance. This study also found that the moderating effects of formalization, courtesy in KL, and team efficacy were variable, and that differences in leaders’ and members’ Confucian values had consistently negative effects on team performance in situations subject to such moderation. Full Text: PDF


PDF Workbook
Values Are at the Root of Everything – A Family Values Workbook 0 out of 5 based on 0 reviews.
$4.95
A workbook for parents to identify and align their family values around money, time, and emotional resources. Designed for parents to do together 16 page PDF workbook Includes 4 exercises to identify and agree on values and how they apply to choices in our daily lives including how we spend our money, our time, and our emotional resources
Important: This is a digital product. Nothing will be mailed.
Your values are your guide.
You may think you know what’s important to you but do your actions tell the same story? Whether we like it or not, our actions, not our aspirations, reveal our true values.
This digital workbook features four exercises to support parents to get on the same page, strengthening their communication and reinforce a critical life skill — understanding how our values deeply influence our everyday decisions.
This workbook is a great resource for parents to:
identify what you think your values are regarding your money, your time, and your emotions, and whether your actions are consistent with those ideas, strengthen your relationship by discovering whether your partner/spouse shares those values, be more intentional and feel more fulfilled in your parenting journey by making adjustments to your habits and future choices with newfound awareness.
What did you think?


April 29, 2022
Aden has handed over operation of a wastewater treatment plant provided through an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract to a Korean commercial partner operating a factory in North Vietnam.
The plant has a treatment capacity of around 18,000m
3 of water per year. This project will contribute to supporting Aden’s partner in reaching their environmental goals, and is aligned with UN’s sustainability goals, particularly Goal 6 – “ to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.”
“Vietnam has become a new industrial and business hub in ASEAN, and our commercial partners are expecting comprehensive solutions by us to help them reach their productivity and environmental goals. To match these expectations, Aden Vietnam set a clear focus on technical and project management expertise to provide comprehensive facility management solutions,” said Romain Garnier, Vietnam country manager for Aden.
With offices in Hanoi, Danang and HCMC, Aden Vietnam created and developed pools of mobile specialized technical experts closer to the needs, delivering sustainable, reliable, and efficient technical services and project management. This builds on an already strong IFM capability in the region which has grown significantly in the past several years.


Description: Department Seminar: Martin Van der Linden Location: 368A Heady Hall Abstract: We compare two established jury selection procedures meant to safeguard against the inclusion of biased jurors, that are also perceived as causing minorities to be under-represented in juries. The Strike and Replace procedure presents potential jurors one-by-one to the parties, while the Struck procedure presents all potential jurors before the parties exercise vetoes. In equilibrium, Struck more effectively excludes extreme jurors than Strike and Replace but leads to a worse representation of minorities. Simulations suggest that the advantage of Struck in terms of excluding extremes is sizable in a wide range of cases. In contrast, Strike and Replace only provides a significantly better representation of minorities if the minority and majority are heavily polarized. The size of these effects quantitatively depends on parameters. When parameters are estimated to match the parties’ selection of jurors by race with jury-selection data from Mississippi in trials against black defendants, the procedures’ outcomes are substantially different, and the size of the trade-off between objectives can be quantitatively evaluated. Contact person: Bertan Turhan


In international economic relations now the chatter of communication is on the increase. Sometimes loud, coherent and decisive. Sometimes in languages little understood. And still on other occasions in passionate but passive background voices. This orchestra is without a doubt with many instruments but absent a formal conductor the jungle of instruments compete for audience attention and influence on the basis of string power and drum beats! Communication flows in international economic affairs now embrace various mediums, and involve a variety of participants. The mediums take the oral form in meetings, negotiations, lectures, conferences and telecommunications. They also take the published form in the printed and electronic medium through newsletters, journals, books, websites and e-mail fora. By the same token the participants involved can be States, international organisations, individuals, academics, practitioners, and students --- both as authors and recipients of communication.
In this disorganised sea of communication flows are to be found agencies of communication organisers that facilitate coherent communication flows. One such agency is the Journal which enables the organisation of a certain standard, transparency and clarity in scholarship. In International Economic Law the law journals are indeed established; and have played an important role as facilitators of debate, scholarship and as mediums of influence. By and large the agencies have been a success --- although it is only in the last decade or so that the number of Journals in the field have been on the increase. But then so has International Economic Law developed in some leaps during this period. The pressure of the international economic law chatter however is still there and there is capacity for more facilitators. In particular, given that International Economic Law in all its spheres is a vast discipline --- not just international trade. And that there is indeed a reservoir of impressive scholarship all over the world --- including the developing world, in this sphere --- the need to optimally avail the international community of these resources, and to inject in it diverse perspectives, is important. Equally, the somewhat bipolar scene of international economic relations, as between the international trade and the development mantles needs to be avoided --- not least because this would be divisive and contribute to a polarised rather than a measured focus on international economic relations in a holistic manner. Further, debate about development, which is a fundamental tenet of international economic law, to be effective, needs to be brought and conducted also from one of the centres from which it can be facilitated viz., one of the international developed centres of the world.
Against this background this Journal of International Economic Law as an agency of communication aims at facilitating a focus on the full ambit of international economic relations --- including particularly the development perspective --- by all manner of communicators for all relevant listeners. This Journal is first and foremost an International Economic law Journal. Its geographical origins breathe a nomenclature to it to distinguish it from other Journals in the field. Manchester also as a city is a good symbol of globalisation; international in its racial and cultural diversity; and occupies an important place in the history of international economic relations --- being the city from where came one of the original calls for free trade. Appropriately therefore the matches in international economic scholarship should result in goals from Manchester too!
I am grateful to Yanpin Liao for her editorial assistance, the referees for their advice and the Advisory Board for its support.
Asif H QureshiEidtor in Cheif


Pages: 87 Publisher: ADIS
Year of Publication:
2016 Author(s) : Louise Grech, Alan Lau Book Description:
This book presents concise, comprehensive summaries of topics necessary to understand rheumatoid arthritis (RA) management, aligned with patient needs, as a reference suitable for practitioners and students of all levels. Special attention is paid to the innovative RhMAT (Rheumatoid Arthritis Medication Assessment Tool), in addition to descriptions of the pharmacological management of RA, pharmacoeconomic and pharmacovigilance considerations, the benefits of seamless care, and case presentations.Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common forms of inflammatory arthritis in the world, with a prevalence of 0.5 to 1%. While no cure has yet been established, modern biotechnology has enabled highly effective management, if treatment begins early. However, cost and side effects, such as immune suppression, continue to present barriers, and monitoring of patients is pivotal to safe and effective disease management.
Both hospital and community pharmacists are involved in RA patient management, and have responsibilities to this patient population. Identifying pharmaceutical care issues and ensuring that the patients are managed in accordance to best evidence-based medicine are paramount. Best care is delivered when pharmacists effectively communicate with each other, the prescribers and the multidisciplinary team members involved in the care of the patient. This book aims to tackle the various aspects of the management of RA patients across all the settings.
http://www.springer.com/gp/book/9789811014208


The Auvergne is famous for its excellent cheeses, and duly so. The area lays claim to five native kinds, described here, that have earned the Appellation d'Origine Controlee designation; that's more A.O.C. cheeses than any other of France's 26 administrative regions.
Bleu d'auvergne A crucial step in the making of this pungent cheese, produced across much of the Auvergne, is the addition of a live bacterial starter, Penicillium roqueforti, to the cows' milk before it is made to curdle. This gives bleu d'auvergne a more intense sharpness. Also, the curd, once formed, is cut into sections before it is left to drain; this, in addition to the piercing of the curd with long needles, further promotes aeration and the development of the cheese's blue veins. Bleu d'auvergne, which is creamier and less salty than many other blue-veined cheeses, is aged in damp cellars for a minimum of four weeks, which allows it to acquire the suppleness of texture and depth of flavor it's known for. Fourme d'ambert This creamy, subtly flavored blue-veined cheese, pressed into tall cylinders, is produced on farmsteads in the Auvergne departements of Cantal and Puy-de-Dome. It is made from cows' milk, which is curdled and allowed to rest for 24 hours before the curd is salted and then pierced with long needles to aerate it, thereby promoting the growth of the cheese's distinctive blue mold. Fourme d'ambert is aged for up to several months in cool, damp cellars, where the flavors mature, the mold develops, and a light, ash-colored rind forms. This immensely appealing cheese, popular in households across France and sold worldwide, combines a tangy, aromatic perfume with a rustic and slightly sweet flavor.
**Cantal **The namesake cheese of the Cantal region is one of France's oldest cheeses; the Roman historian Pliny the Elder made reference to it in his writings 2,000 years ago. Almost identical in appearance to salers but with a slightly coarser texture, cantal depends heavily for its character on the process of affinage, or cellar aging, during which the cheese is carefully turned and wiped down with damp cloths, to encourage the growth of the rind. With a cheese like cantal, the skill of the affineur is considered to be as crucial to the taste of the cheese as is the talent of the cheese maker. The length of time a wheel of cantal is aged will dramatically affect the cheese's flavor. Cantal that's been aged for one to two months has a milkier flavor and a light-colored rind. Cantal that's been aged for two to six months is often classified as entre-deux, "between two", and begins to show stronger, more floral flavors, as its rind develops a dimpled surface. Vieux (aged, or sharp) cantal—the kind favored by aficionados of the cheese—is spicy, pungent, and even gamy.
Salers It takes 400 liters of that fresh milk to make a single, 40-kilogram wheel of this firm, sharp, intensely flavored cheese, which is aged for a minimum of three months. A close cousin of cantal (see above), salers is named after a town in the Auvergne's southwest, where the cheese is made. Production takes place between April 15 and November 15—timing that ensures that the cheese will be made only from the milk of cows that have been feeding on pasture. It is to that region's wildflower-dotted upland pastures that salers owes much of its herbaceous, aromatic flavor; the region's volcanic soil is hospitable to wild carrot, gentian, wild mountain fennel, and dozens of other kinds of prairie flora whose essence finds expression in the fresh milk with which salers is made. Saint-nectaire Produced mostly in the Puy-de-Dome, in the central Auvergne, saint-nectaire was the first French "farm style" cheese to be awarded the A.O.C. designation, in 1955. Farmstead saint-nectaire, a semisoft, nutty-tasting, washed-rind cheese, is made from whole cows' milk. In the Auvergne, a distinction is often made between true farmstead saint-nectaire and "saint-nectaire laitier", which is made not on dairy farms but at creameries, where the milk is often pasteurized. The latter, which often has an orange rind and a less complex flavor, is the kind found for sale the most often in the United States. With its mild, hazelnut taste and its soft yet resilient consistency, saint-nectaire is one of France's best-loved cheeses.


Atrial fibrillation is an irregular or uneven rhythm in your heart. The top chambers of your heart, called the atria, do not beat in time with the bottom chambers, known as the ventricles. Patients often say they feel a fluttering, racing, or jumping in their chest when they have atrial fibrillation.


To begin with, the US Congressional Research Service released a report on August 9th, titled “Bitcoin, Blockchain, and the Energy Sector”, detail the potential advantages and disadvantages of deploying a blockchain-based ledger system to control the transactions and sales of energy. That report has stated that while there may be a lot of advantages to tracking an energy sector with a blockchain system, such a system could also impose legal and cybersecurity issues.
Advantages and disadvantages of blockchain
So, that report contains a survey conducted by Electric Power Research Institute which states that 77% of respondents stated that the energy sector lacks appropriate standards for implementing a solution like this. This is due to the complexity of energy regulation within the United States.
Traditionally the federal government, the Department of Energy, only regulates sales and transmission of energy between states. Energy sales conducted between states are classified as wholesale. It is up to individual states and local governments to regulate sales and transmission of power within the states themselves. Inner-state sales are typically classified as a retail sale and falls outside of federal regulation.
Difficult moments of blockchain in the energy sector
Next, there is currently a lack of clear legislation that could define and regulate these types of sales. Clear regulation would be needed before a blockchain-based system could be implemented within the United States.
Furthermore, state legislation could prove to be problematic. California, for instance, has much harsher regulations concerning the creation and distribution of energy compared to other states. A blockchain-based system could muddy those waters and make it more difficult for California to enforce these regulations. The DOE also has programs, like Energy Star ratings, that are currently voluntary. Such voluntary programs also make tracking such data in a universal ledger much more complicated.
Nonetheless, a blockchain technology that tracks and controls the sales of energy could make sales and transparency easier for consumers. In many states, consumers have the option of choosing their energy providers. Customers may choose energy providers based on price or ethics. For instance, an electricity customer may choose to use a provider that generates power through sustainable methods rather than a provider that uses gas or coal. By using a blockchain-based ledger, customers can guarantee their prices, costs as they relate to other providers, and energy generation methods.
So, understanding the complexities of such a system, the Department of Energy has recently awarded a grant to four different organizations for further research. That grant totaled more than $1.05 million. Those four organizations will be tasked with creating a commercial block-chain based system to track energy transmission and sales.
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This article argues that the Mongol empire's famous religious tolerance cannot be explained solely through its adoption of Inner Asian imperial political traditions of ruling over ethnically and religiously diverse subjects. Instead, this pluralism can be ascribed to a wider religious pattern of the Mongols. The first part argues that the analytical category of immanentist religions explains not only the inter-cultic transparency exhibited by the Mongol courts, but also the few explicit instances where the Chinggisid rulers reacted with ‘religious’ violence. The article further explores the strategies employed by the religious vectors, mainly Buddhists and Muslims, to address, accommodate, and subvert the Chinggisids’ patterns of religiosity and primarily their pluralism, and the Mongols’ deified mode of sacralizing kingship. Focusing on the Mongol-Ilkhanid court in Iran, the article examines how religious representatives used conceptual affinities and equivalences between the Mongol traditions and certain principles of their own religious frameworks to gain influence and favour, and persuade the khans to convert or retain their earlier commitment to the new religious affiliation. Employing this assimilative approach, they manoeuvred within the religious, immanentist paradigm of their nomadic patrons while moulding and manipulating it to their own religious, transcendentalist ends. The article further demonstrates how this ‘translation’ process of Chinggisid patterns became an arena of Buddhist–Muslim rivalry and competition, but also cross-cultural fertilization.


Congress Votes to Fund Choice Program, Permanent Reform Still Needed Arlington, VA – Today the House voted to continue funding the Veterans Choice Program through a $3.9 billion emergency spending package. The program, which allows veterans to receive care outside the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), was facing an urgent budget shortfall. Concerned Veterans for America (CVA) Policy Director Dan Caldwell issued the following statement:
“It’s good that the House has acted to fix the Choice Program budget shortfall to ensure that veterans using the program won’t experience any lapses in care. However, this solution is imperfect and the entire process has been dysfunctional.
“Secretary Shulkin should have been given the authority to simply shift existing VA funds into the Veterans Choice Program. Unfortunately, some organizations and elected officials used this as an opportunity to start an anti-choice campaign while pursuing unnecessary additional spending. At a critical moment, they jeopardized the ability of millions of veterans to retain access to the health care they need.
“We want to commend Chairman Roe for his tenacity in fighting for a solution and his longstanding commitment to improving access to care. Roe continues to be a champion for veterans, and we at CVA appreciate his tireless work.
“This entire situation underscores the need for permanent choice reform which removes the VA as the middleman. We look forward to working with Congress on legislation that addresses the clear need for expanded health care choice for veterans.”
The measure will now move to the Senate for consideration.
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The Strategy of Denial
Elbridge Colby
Yale University Press | 2021
Elbridge A. Colby was the lead architect of the 2018 National Defense Strategy, the most significant revision of U.S. defense strategy in a generation. Here he lays out how America’s defense must change to address China’s growing power and ambition. Based firmly in the realist tradition but deeply engaged in current policy, this book offers a clear framework for what America’s goals in confronting China must be, how its military strategy must change, and how it must prioritize these goals over its lesser interests.
The most informed and in-depth reappraisal of America’s defense strategy in decades, this book outlines a rigorous but practical approach, showing how the United States can prepare to win a war with China that we cannot afford to lose—precisely in order to deter that war from happening.


What is Caprylic Acid? Caprylic Acid, also known as Octanoic Acid, is a naturally occurring Medium Chain Triglyceride (MCT) found in foods like Coconut Oil and Palm Kernels. This beneficial fatty acid is widely-used as part of the Ketogenic Diet. It's often taken in conjunction with Probiotics and other nutritional essentials to support wellness, health and detoxification.* Caprylic Acid can be taken by consumption of coconuts. However, a Dietary Supplement is also a great way to provide the body with this beneficial nutrient. How to get Caprylic Acid: The most common Caprylic Acid Supplements include: Bulk Powder, Capsules, Tablets, Softgels, Pills, Liquid, plus other optimal formulas. There are also a variety of other products with similar Fatty Acids. However, there is now an even more convenient way to receive ultra potent Caprylic Acid. About our Caprylic Acid: Horbaach has a strong commitment to elite nutrition and purity. That's why our Caprylic Acid Formula is sourced from the best MCT made from real Coconut Extract & Palm Kernels. Our Quick-Release Softgels deliver 1320 mg of highly absorbable Caprylic Acid per serving. Plus they're also derived from nature with no Artificial Flavor, Artificial Sweetener or Preservatives. Don't settle for anything less!
WARNING: If you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medications or have any medical condition, consult your doctor before use. Taking too much, especially on an empty stomach, can result in a stomach ache or diarrhea. If any adverse reactions occur, immediately stop using this product and consult your doctor. If seal under cap is damaged or missing, do not use. Keep out of reach of children. Store in a cool, dark, dry place.


The panel of state finance ministers tasked with bringing online gambling and casinos under GST failed to achieve an agreement on Tuesday and decided to submit its report by August 10.
According to officials, the Group of Ministers (GoM) convened virtually on Tuesday and reviewed alternative methods of taxes for casinos, horse racing, and internet gambling.
The group decided that further thought was needed on the subject and set August 10 as the deadline for completing its report, according to authorities.
The report is anticipated to be discussed at the GST Council meeting set for next month in Madurai.
Last month, the council, comprised of the Centre and state finance ministers, recommended back the GoM report for further debate.
In its report, the GoM, led by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, stated that horse racing, internet gaming, and casinos are all forms of betting and gambling and that a 28% GST on gross sales value should be applied.
The GoM also suggested that online gaming be taxed at the entire value of the consideration, including the contest entrance fee paid by the participant for playing in the game.
In the case of racetracks, the GoM proposed levying GST on the entire value of bets pooled in totalisators and deposited with bookies.
In the case of casinos, the GoM suggested that the tax be imposed on the entire face value of the chips/coins acquired by a player from the casino. There would be no additional GST applied to the value of bets put in each round of betting, including those placed using wins from prior rounds.
While the GST Council was considering the GoM report on June 29, Goa Industries Minister Mauvin Godinho stated that there was a need for more explanation and understanding as to why casinos deserve a distinct tax treatment than horse racing and internet gambling.
As a result, the GoM was required to complete its report by July 15.
Uttar Pradesh finance minister Suresh Khanna, Gujarat finance minister Kanubhai Patel, Tamil Nadu finance minister P Thiaga Rajan, and Telangana finance minister T Harish Rao are among the other state ministers in the eight-member GoM.


Vizient Southern States members now have easy access to proven technologies. These technologies lower physician controlled costs, ease opioid management, and provide interoperability health systems seek. IllumiCare® is a workflow-conscious ribbon of information that hovers over the EMR. It gives providers real-time, patient-specific wholesale costs (not charges), PDMP, risks and other custom data about the patient concurrently being viewed. It is a “ribbon” of actionable intelligence that appears over the EMR Screen/Page.
Displaying cost data at the point of care causes providers to be more diligent. It empowers them to provide safer, more cost efficient care, and become true Clinician Stewards.
“All Vizient Southern States members, including those enrolled in Vizient’s Opioid Stewardship Collaborative, can benefit from IllumiCare’s new technology. We are excited about their controlled substance app, as it addresses the opioid management needs of our members.” – – Sharon Ellis, Sr. Director, Clinical Improvement, at Vizient Southern States
“IllumiCare’s solutions align with our mission to ensure our members deliver high-quality, cost-effective care by connecting them with the knowledge, solutions, and expertise that accelerate performance. We are excited to offer the Smart Ribbon to help our hospitals further drive high-quality, cost-effective healthcare.” - Michael S. White, FACHE, CHFP, Vice President of Business Development & Operations at Vizient Southern States


There is currently little known about how animals behave in burned landscapes. Logan’s research focuses on the American marten, animals that are specialized to live in forests and very sensitive to disturbances that remove trees.
Robyn’s research is at the intersection of neuroscience, emotional intelligence, social power, and bullying. Despite research and intervention programs developed and implemented, bullying continues to be rampant in Canadian schools.
Alejandra’s research focuses on understanding human-bird interactions in agro-ecological systems. Being named a Killam Laureate is a great honour and source of motivation as it allows her to focus exclusively on her studies.


How will the U.S. economy emerge from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic? Will it struggle to return to prior levels of employment and activity, or will it come roaring back as soon as vaccinations are widespread and Americans feel comfortable travelling and eating out? Part of the answer to these questions hinges on what will happen to the large amount of “excess savings” that U.S. households have accumulated since last March. According to most estimates, these savings are around $1.6 trillion and counting. Some economists have expressed the concern that, if a considerable fraction of these accumulated funds is spent as soon as the economy re-opens, the ensuing rush of demand might be destabilizing. This post argues that these savings are not that excessive, when considered against the backdrop of the unprecedented government interventions adopted over the past year in support of households and that they are unlikely to generate a surge in demand post-pandemic.


Abstract
Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors and primary hepatic neuroendocrine carcinomas are rare and pose challenges for both diagnosis and for determining whether the tumor is primary to the liver versus metastatic disease. The lack of a uniform definition for primary hepatic neuroendocrine neoplasms is also a limitation to understanding and treating these rare tumors. Recently, there have been significant histological advances in the diagnosis and classification of neuroendocrine tumors in general, as well as significant advances in imaging for neuroendocrine neoplasms, all of which are important for their treatment. This article presents a multiple disciplinary definition and proposed guidelines for diagnosing a neuroendocrine tumor/neuroendocrine carcinomas as being primary to the liver.
Keywords Hepatocellular Liver Neuroendocrine carcinoma Neuroendocrine tumor Primary ASJC Scopus subject areas Pathology and Forensic Medicine


As COP27 kicks off, how can conversations and pledges turn into meaningful action at the pace needed? The challenges are of a scale and complexity that can’t be solved in isolation. Join host Rowena Daines to explore how organisations and investors can work alongside innovative ClimateTech to direct focus and funding towards collaborative momentum on progress. PwC’s ESG leader for Deals, James Pincus will be providing insight into the trends in the market while Grey Parrot’s CEO Mikela Druckman will share the perspective of the innovative new scaleups offering new ways to tackle sustainability.


Antenatal care, an integral component of primary health care, is offered as a free health service for pregnant women at public health facilities. However, the death of women during pregnancy, during childbirth, or after delivery continues to be a major challenge in health care systems due to poor antenatal care uptake. The main aim of this study was to explore and describe recommendations from local stakeholders and health governance structures to promote the uptake of Basic Antenatal Care (BANC) services in the areas surrounding local clinics. The study used a qualitative, descriptive design, with purposively selected participants sharing detailed information in their own words on the subject. Twenty individual in-depth interviews were conducted at three selected community health centres (CHCs) in the Bushbuckridge sub-district, Mpumalanga province. The results revealed the following needs: clinic committees must participate in promoting BANC awareness through health education, use of existing community-based structures must be strengthened, men’s support for their pregnant partners must be harnessed, and the roles and responsibilities of clinic committees must be amplified. The study showed that community leaders and clinic committees are willing to work in collaboration with health care providers in promoting antenatal care uptake in the community by expanding BANC awareness. Clinic committees’ previous involvement inhealth awareness campaigns is a strength that could contribute to makingantenatal care awareness programmes successful. Vital recommendationsinclude formalising reporting mechanisms for clinic committees so that they canbe accountable to the community in promoting BANC services, strengtheningstakeholder collaboration, and resourcing.


Abstract
Dynamic pricing has become a common form of electricity tariff, where the price of electricity varies in real time based on the realized electricity supply and demand. Hence, optimizing industrial operations to benefit from periods with low electricity prices is vital to maximizing the benefits of dynamic pricing. In the case of water networks, energy consumed by pumping is a substantial cost for water utilities, and optimizing pump schedules to accommodate for the changing price of energy while ensuring a continuous supply of water is essential. In this paper, a Mixed-Integer Non-linear Programming (MINLP) formulation of the optimal pump scheduling problem is presented. Due to the non-linearities, the typical size of water networks, and the discretization of the planning horizon, the problem is not solvable within reasonable time using standard optimization software. We present a Lagrangian decomposition approach that exploits the structure of the problem leading to smaller problems that are solved independently. The Lagrangian decomposition is coupled with a simulation-based, improved limited discrepancy search algorithm that is capable of finding high quality feasible solutions. The proposed approach finds solutions with guaranteed upper and lower bounds. These solutions are compared to those found by a mixed-integer linear programming approach, which uses a piecewise-linearization of the non-linear constraints to find a global optimal solution of the relaxation. Numerical testing is conducted on two real water networks and the results illustrate the significant costs savings due to optimizing pump schedules.


The gut microbiome, which are the microorganisms and their genes found in the human body’s intestinal tract, may influence the therapeutic response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) cancer treatment
[Routy et al., 2018; Matson et al., 2018; Gopalakrishnan et al., 2018; Frankel et al., 2017; Peters et al., 2019; Andrews et al., 2021 as cited in reference i]. What is more, factors such as diet and medication use may impact the gut microbiome [Wu et al., 2011; McDonald et al., 2018; Maier et al., 2018; Suez et al., 2018; Willing et al., 2011; Asnicar et al., 2021 as cited in reference i]. In the below study, the authors explore how dietary fiber intake and probiotic use influence the microbiome and immunotherapy response in individuals with melanoma. Study Journal: Science
This study included 438 individuals with melanoma. Most of the individuals were receiving ICB, anti-programmed cell death 1 (anti-PD-1) therapy for metastatic melanoma. Participants were classified as responders to treatment (complete or partial response or stable disease for 6 months or more) or non-responders (stable disease for less than 6 months or progressive disease). The authors profiled participants’ gut (fecal) microbiome. Participants receiving ICB treatment completed the National Cancer Institute Dietary Screener Questionnaire, including questions on dietary fiber intake. Fiber intake was considered per 5 grams per day increments and in 2 cohorts, with low or insufficient defined as less than 20 grams per day and sufficiently high defined as 20 grams or more per day. Participants also answered questions on probiotic use. Lastly, the authors designed preclinical models in mice, investigating fiber intake, probiotic use, microbiota composition, and response to treatment.
Findings The authors found: A significantly higher abundance of Ruminococcaceau in the gut microbiota of responders to treatment compared to non-responders. No significant difference in the overall composition of the gut microbiota of responders compared to non-responders 31% of participants had taken a probiotic supplement within the past month. No significant difference in progression-free survival (PFS) or treatment response in those taking probiotics compared to those not taking probiotics Those with sufficient dietary fiber intake had improved PFS compared to those with insufficient dietary fiber intake. With every 5 gram increase in daily dietary fiber intake, there was a 30% lower risk of disease progression or death, with similar associations found for dietary fiber intake and ICB response No significant difference in the composition of the gut microbiota in those with sufficient compared to insufficient dietary fiber intake Significantly longer PFS in those with sufficient dietary fiber intake and no probiotic use, with similar associations found for ICB response. There was more microbial diversity in those with sufficient dietary fiber intake and no probiotic use, although not statistically significant In preclinical models, mice receiving probiotics had an impaired response to treatment and significantly larger tumors compared to control mice In preclinical models, mice receiving a fiber-rich diet had delayed tumor outgrowth compared to mice receiving a fiber-poor diet when treated with anti-PD-1. This effect was not seen in germ-free mice, suggesting that the dietary intervention and treatment response was microbiota dependent For the Patient and Caregiver
For the Patient and Caregiver
For increased dietary fiber intake, consider how many servings of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and nuts and seeds you eat each day. Look for opportunities to increase these types of foods, such as adding spinach to an omelet, berries to yogurt, having a quinoa bowl with chickpeas and your favorite dressing for lunch, and mixed nuts as a snack more often than processed foods lower in fiber such as chips or cookies. Some foods highest in fiber include split peas, raspberries, green peas, barley, broccoli, and chia seeds.
For the Healthcare Team
It may be beneficial to encourage dietary fiber intake for patients receiving ICB. For example, encourage a nutritious eating pattern with high consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and nuts and seeds. More research is indicated to understand the timing of this intake–if there is a positive benefit on treatment response if an individual previously had low fiber intake but increases fiber intake during treatment. Further research is also needed to understand probiotic supplementation recommendations for patients receiving ICB, and how food sources of probiotics such as kimchi or yogurt may have an impact on the microbiota and treatment response.
For more information on the gut microbiota, take a look at this
Science Nook on plant-based eating. Reference: Spencer CD, McQuade JL, Gopalakrishnan V, McCulloch JA, Vetizou M, Cogdill AP…Wargo JA (2021). Dietary fiber and probiotics influence on the gut microbiome and melanoma immunotherapy response. [i] Science 374,1632-1640. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aaz7015


GLBA Certification GLBA Certification (Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act)
Amendments to strengthen the Safeguards Rule for Customer Information under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) impact all public and private Title IV higher education institutions that store and use any person’s non-public or personal data. Institutions must achieve compliance before the end of 2022 (December 9, 2022). Under GLBA, penalties for non-compliance can include fines up to $100,000 per violation, criminal penalties, and the revocation of licenses.
$10,000 Fee includes a comprehensive evaluation of Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) compliance for systems, processes, and procedures. The comprehensive assessment is guided by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidance and recommendations. Assessment is conducted by experienced and credentialed GLBA professionals who identify gaps and priorities; create a short- and long-term remediation plan; advise IT, Finance, Financial Aid, and compliance departments; produce a final report, certification document, badging, and follow-up.
GLBA Certification Highlights: Compliance and Regulation adherence check Technical, Administrative, and Physical Controls Assessment Threat Assessment (non-compliance/disaster checks/malicious software) Asset Assessment (tangible and intangible assets/computer systems) Periodic training and GLBA awareness sessions


Flight to Digital Drives Marketing Services Industry
Capstone’s
is now available, highlighting how the rise in e-commerce, social media, and digital news has driven shifts in marketing and advertising to digital channels, accelerating the Marketing Technology (MarTech) and Advertising Technology (AdTech) segments. MarTech and AdTech’s emersion in the space has created competitive advantages over traditional marketing services providers, offering precise marketing solutions coupled with tracking real-time analytics for active campaigns. The sector has fostered significant investment appetite, positioning MarTech and AdTech firms as highly attractive targets for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) among strategic and private equity (PE) buyers. March 2021 Marketing Services Industry Update
Included in this report:
Why initial public offerings (IPOs) from technology-based providers are expected to rise. A breakdown on what type of buyers are targeting programmatic MarTech and AdTech software providers, contributing to the resurgence of M&A activity in 2021. How marketing analytics providers are adapting to the changing consumer privacy rights, and details on the adoption of first-party identity management solutions as opposed to the use of third-party cookies.
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Methods of Firing a Boiler
Firing refers to the application of heat to a boiler. Firing is done by different methods.
Fuel fired Boilers
The most common method is by burning fuel such as wood, oil, coal or gas.
Waste Heat Recovery Boilers
These boilers function by recovering the heat from the gases or effluents of other industrial processes. For instance, the exhaust gas from a power plant can be used to heat a boiler.
Electrically heated Boilers
These boilers are used for heat generation. They are not used for power generation. They are generally of small capacity. They can be used in hospitals for sterilizing equipment. They can be used for laundry and for domestic heating purposes.
Nuclear Powered Boilers
These boilers are used in Nuclear Power Plants. The nuclear fission reaction which occurs in the reactor produces enormous amounts of heat. This heat can be used to heat water and produce steam. This steam is used in power plants to generate electricity or to drive submarines
Tangential Firing
Tangential Firing in Boilers is a widely used method in the combustion of fuel, usually, coal. This method ensures efficient firing of the fuel. The Tangential Firing method also results in reduced emissions.
In this method, finely powdered coal is blown into the combustion chamber along with air through a series of burner nozzles. As the coal and air mixture enters the combustion chamber four burners placed in the wall tangential to the fireball are used to fire the mixture.
The method gets its name as the flame from the burners strikes the burning fireball at a tangent. The burning mass rotates ensuring complete combustion of the fuel particles.
Co-Firing
Co-firing or Co-combustion refers to the combustion of two fuels simultaneously. For example, biomass fuel can be burnt with coal. In paper plants, the pith, which is a byproduct of the manufacturing process, can be burnt along with coal.
The fuel which is added to the main fuel is called additional or auxiliary fuel.
Co-firing has many advantages. Co-firing is cheap as it uses fuel which would otherwise have gone waste. This reduces the cost of steam generation.
Co-firing also has environmental benefits. Co-firing results in more efficient combustion. The green house gases emitted are lesser than those emitted when burning a single fuel.
In certain countries, the governments incentivize cofiring as it is beneficial to the environment.


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1.
MCI understands that going digital can be a daunting experience. This is one reason we established the SG Digital Office (SDO) in June 2020, to better support people who need help, such as seniors, hawkers and heartland merchants, with basic digital tools and skills. Under the Seniors Go Digital (SGD) programme, SDO’s Digital Ambassadors (DAs) have engaged and trained over 190,000 seniors to date.
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The SGD programme focuses on training and enabling seniors to use digital tools for their daily lives. Seniors are trained in basic digital skills such as using a smartphone to access government services like Singpass and health services, and to communicate and transact online. In a 2021 survey with seniors conducted one month after their engagement with the SDO, about nine in ten seniors said they continued to apply the digital skills they learnt in their daily lives.
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Targeted programmes have also been implemented to strengthen seniors’ ability to manage cyber threats. For instance, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA)’s SG Cyber Safe Seniors Programme raises awareness and drives adoption of cyber hygiene practices amongst seniors, and has engaged more than 45,000 seniors since its launch. Programmes are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure their relevance. With online scams being a growing threat, a range of topics and tips for seniors to guard against online scams have been included.
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The Singapore Police Force (SPF) and National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) have also rolled out broad-based and targeted public education efforts. These include the annual anti-scam public education campaign, ‘Spot the Signs. Stop the Crimes.’, which builds awareness and vigilance amongst the general public on the tell-tale signs of scams. NCPC’s Volunteer Crime Prevention Ambassadors also engage residents, including seniors, to share crime prevention tips.
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Complementing the Government’s programmes, the Digital for Life (DfL) movement was launched in 2021 to galvanise the support of people, private and public (3P) sectors on ground-up initiatives to help Singaporeans gain confidence in going digital. For example, at the Majestic Smart Seniors Applied Centre, managed by RSVP Singapore, seniors learn to identify and avoid scams, and protect their digital identity, through curated modules and webinars conducted in partnership with Google.
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The Government continuously reviews its anti-scam programmes and efforts to ensure they are updated and relevant. We will also continue to work with the community and industry to engage seniors, to help them stay safe and secure online.